Prized University of the East (UE) center Precious Momowei is uncertain of his future with the Red Warriors following a humiliating winless campaign in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.
The Nigerian center had no words to describe UE’s nightmare 0-14 win-loss record finish following a 77-84 defeat at the hands of Far Eastern University Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Momowei was a picture of frustration as he dissected what went through the Red Warriors’ season with him as co-captain alongside Wello Lingolingo.
“There’s nothing much to say,” the 6-foot-9 Nigerian said.
“Coming into this season, I thought we had a chance. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. But finishing 0-14 was never on my mind. I’m speechless right now,” he added.
“This is so f****** heartbreaking. But I guess it is what it is. Just gotta learn from it.”
The Red Warriors experienced the ordeal of a winless season once again, having suffered the same fate in 2022 when action resumed following a two-year halt due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
What made the season more disappointing for UE was the extent of the skid, a 20-game slump overall since losing six straight to finish Season 87.
Season 88 was a disastrous one for the Red Warriors.
UE management looked at a new direction heading into the season, parting ways with coach Jack Santiago and tapping Chris Gavina as his replacement.
But losses kept mounting and frustration spilled off the court when Gavina was slapped with a four-game suspension following a profanity-laced post-game rant towards game officials in the Red Warriors’ stinging 110-111 overtime loss to De La Salle University.
His remarks came following the ejection of Lingolingo for an unsportsmanlike foul on Kean Baclaan, who suffered a season-ending knee injury, during a scramble for the loose ball. Lingolingo was meted out a three-game ban.
Another misfortune fell on UE when leading scorer and veteran floor general John Abate sustained a nose injury that abruptly ended his season.
Despite UE’s gloomy run, Momowei delivered impressive numbers, averaging 16.7 points, 13.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks per outing in 14 games.
The student-athlete still has two years of playing eligibility. He, however, is unsure if he’ll return or call it quits for the red and white.
“I don’t know, honestly. But we’ll see. Right now, I don’t know,” he said.
“Right now, 0-14 is embarrassing, it’s heartbreaking, it’s hard not just for me but for the school, you know, the fans. It’s really heartbreaking,” Momowei added.
“But on our side, this is also a motivation; to like, you know, come back next year and work harder.”